Hong Kong 1980: The Savage Era

Chapter 296 297 [Miss Xiangjiang]

Time flies, and it is already mid-August.

The weather was unusually hot, and any movement would cause me to sweat profusely, soaking my clothes on my back.

Although the social elites are hiding in the air-conditioned office to work, their bodies are not very comfortable. After all, if you use the air-conditioning too much, you will get sick.

Saturday, May 8

The Miss Hong Kong beauty pageant was held on this day. In fact, the pageant had already started, but the number of participants was too large, so a preliminaries was needed to make a preliminary selection of the beauties. After all, the official beauty pageant would be completed within a month.

This year's beauty pageant will still be held at the TVB headquarters at 77 Broadcast Drive, Kowloon Tong.

As a spectator, Luo Qihong naturally attended in formal attire, with his most eye-catching item being his colorful butterfly tie. Of course, he was also "besieged" by reporters in front of the gate.

"Luo Sheng, this is your first time participating in Miss Hong Kong, what do you think now?"

Luo Qihong was speechless. He had participated in many large-scale events and was not a novice. What could he think?

"I am very honored to be here in person to feel this kind of atmosphere, and I also hope..." Luo Qihong said some polite words, which made the reporters lose interest.

"Luo Sheng, some citizens said that Miss Xiangjiang was chosen by a tycoon like you. What do you think of this?"

"I don't have an opinion. I don't know many girls from Hong Kong." Luo Qihong quickly distanced himself from the question. The question itself was a trap.

After dealing with reporters for 10 minutes, Luo Qihong found his seat under the guidance of the reception staff.

Given his status, he was naturally arranged to sit in the first row, closest to the stage.

Sitting next to him was Li Ka-shing's wife, Li Luk Yan-kwan, who was wearing a yellow and purple cheongsam, exuding the noble temperament of a wealthy family.

Li Luk Yan Kwan inherited Li Ho-woo's shares in Television Broadcasts and is a non-executive director of the board of directors. She also manages Li Ho-woo's large estate. She has made huge profits in the stock market since 81 and is a well-known female billionaire in Hong Kong.

"Mrs. Li, it's our first meeting. Thank you for your advice!" Luo Qihong greeted politely and handed over his business card so that Li Lu Yanqun would know her identity.

Li Luyanqun smiled and said, "Hello! Mr. Luo! As the rumors say, you are a young talent."

"Mrs. Li, you are too kind. I am just lucky. I cannot be called a hero." Luo Qihong said modestly.

Li Lu Yanqun is a strong woman. It is not an easy thing for her to keep Li Xiaohe's inheritance in the Li family, which shows that she is extraordinary.

If other wives of wealthy families were considered competent if they could keep the family business, then Li Lu Yanqun could get 80 points, because she had the courage and ability to expand the family business, and was brave enough to give up some of the family business, such as control of the television broadcasting company.

Now that the second generation of the Li family has passed away one after another, the third generation heirs have started competing. However, Li Lu Yanqun has no interest in this. She only wants to protect her husband's inheritance and not take any action in family affairs.

It is not an easy thing to restrain one's inner greed and ambition, but Li Lu Yanqun did it, and did it very decisively.

"Mr. Luo, you are too modest. If you cannot be called a hero, then few people in the younger generation can be called heroes." Li Lu Yanqun said with a faint smile.

Luo Qihong smiled and didn't want to continue this topic. "I heard that many people want to get tickets for the event. The Miss Hong Kong beauty pageant is really popular."

Li Luyanqun adjusted her shawl and said, "Everyone loves beauty. Mr. Luo was invited here and will not understand their thoughts."

"What Mrs. Li said makes some sense. Everyone loves beauty, but everyone interprets beauty differently." Luo Qihong knew what Li Lu Yanqun meant, which was 'these men are lustful'.

Soon, the competition officially began and the beauties took turns to introduce themselves. Fortunately, there were only 25 of them, otherwise it would be hard to tell when the introductions would end.

In the middle of the game, Luo Qihong accidentally knocked over his water cup, wetting his shirt, so he left the field and went to the bathroom to take care of it.

I heard some unpleasant words backstage, full of sarcasm.

"Humph! Being pretty doesn't guarantee victory. The competition considers beauty and wisdom, neither of which can be missing. God gave you beauty, so he should take back some of the other things."

"Then you have to wait and see. Wisdom and beauty have always been equally important."

"So what if they are equally important? Everyone knows that the champion may not have a better life than the runner-up or third place. In the end, don't they all want to rely on this stage to marry into a wealthy family or become a movie star and make more money?"

"With so many rich second-generations eyeing us, I don't think there's any need for anyone to compete."

5 or 6 beauties were attacking and hurting each other. They didn't seem to care much about the competition and were just using it as a springboard. However, they didn't want to be worse than anyone else and at least wanted to have the upper hand in words.

Luo Qihong strolled out, glanced at the beauties in the corridor, and then walked towards the front desk.

Everyone noticed Luo Qihong, but those who were slow to react did not see his appearance, so they thought that Luo Qihong was a waiter and not worthy of attention.

"That man just now looked a bit like Luo Qihong, the chairman of China Gas Company?!" the round-faced beauty asked with her eyes wide open.

The scheming beauties all lowered their heads and began to think. Of course, they saw Luo Qihong's appearance. They had some doubts at first, but now they can confirm that the man is Luo Qihong.

Those second-generation rich people can never compare with Luo Qihong. First, they cannot control as much wealth, and second, there is a huge difference in power. In the final analysis, Luo Qihong is more cost-effective.

"I heard that Luo Qihong already has a girlfriend." The curly-haired beauty reminded.

"Tsk!" The big-eyed beauty's voice was a little shrill. "What's a girlfriend? You can get divorced even if you're married. Do you care whether he's really married or not?"

Luo Qihong heard the first few sentences of the argument, but he couldn't hear the last few sentences because the distance was too far.

"No wonder those people say that women who participate in the Miss Hong Kong pageant are all vain." Luo Qihong muttered to himself with a smile on his face. Not long after, Luo Qihong saw the quarreling contestants backstage again on the stage. He felt that the contestants were looking at him intentionally or unintentionally, probably to confirm their identities.

After the first selection was over, a woman in her twenties or early thirties ran over to pick up Li Lu Yanqun.

"Mr. Luo, let me introduce you. This is my daughter, Li Yunlian." Li Lu Yanqun introduced with a warm smile.

"Hello, Miss Li. I'm Luo Qihong." Luo Qihong also handed over a business card. "Miss Li and Mrs. Li look very similar."

"Many people say so, but I don't think it's very likely." Li Lu Yanqun said more.

After chatting for a few words, Luo Qihong said goodbye and left.

Li Yunlian supported Li Luyanqun and said, "So he is Luo Qihong. He seems to be different from the impression in the rumors."

Li Luyanqun glanced around and found no one around, then responded, "Doing business is different from getting along with others in ordinary ways. Which tycoon in the business world is not a shrewd, capable and domineering person? If they were not domineering, how could they have achieved such success?"

How can a wavering person make a decision firmly? How can the plan be implemented if it changes from time to time?

"That's true!" Li Yunlian nodded, indicating her agreement.

"People who act domineeringly and keep a low profile should not be underestimated, especially people like Luo Qihong. Remember in the future not to offend the emerging chaebols." Li Lu Yanqun taught, "The Li family is in such a mess now. If a strong enemy invades, it will be difficult to resist. What we need to do now is to keep a low profile so that outsiders don't notice us."

"What about today?" Li Yunlian asked.

Li Luyanqun explained, "If Mommy didn't show up today, who knows what the reporters would write about the Li family."

As soon as Luo Qihong got outside, he saw a group of young men in suits holding flowers, waiting for the beauties they liked. Some of the beauties already had several bouquets of flowers in their hands and were smiling brightly.

The second generation of rich people also can't help but show their courtesy in front of the beauties, and some even go so far as to bicker with each other and put down each other.

"Ouch!" As Luo Qihong was walking, a beautiful woman pretended to have sprained her foot and kept looking at Luo Qihong from time to time.

Luo Qihong saw through this trick at a glance. After thinking for a while, he quickly stepped forward and helped the pretentious beauty up. "Miss, how are you? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Jiali held her ankle and said, "No need, I just sprained my ankle."

A few beauties in the distance saw this scene and stomped their feet in anger. They must have been very upset, wondering why they didn't act faster and let Gao Huiming take the lead?
Luo Qihong pretended to be fooled and said, "I think it will be difficult for you to get out, why don't I take you home."

"We don't even know each other. It might not be a good idea to send me home rashly," Gao Huiming responded.

Luo Qihong took out a business card from his pocket and said, "My name is Luo Qihong, this is my business card."

"Are you the boss of China Gas Company?" Gao Huiming asked pretending to be stupid.

"If there weren't two China Gas Companies in Hong Kong, I think I would be the person you are talking about." Luo Qihong joked with Gao Huiming with a smile, saying that a girl who was only 20 years old would not have much discernment.

Gao Huiming looked at her feet and nodded in agreement, "Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Luo."

This girl is pretty, but not as pretty as Cai Shaojie. However, the gap is very small and she is a top-notch beauty.

Luo Qihong felt that the girl who came to his door might be worth playing with, and it would only cost him some money.

He asked the driver to drive the car over and helped Gao Huiming get in.

Gao Huiming was distracted when she saw the beautiful interior of the car. She didn't come back to her senses until Luo Qihong got in.

"Mr. Luo, will you come and watch the next semi-final?" Gao Huiming asked.

Luo Qihong smiled and said, "It depends on the situation. If he has an important social event, he probably won't come."

"Luo Sheng, who do you think is the best?" Gao Huiming continued to ask, looking a little nervous.

Luo Qihong replied, "I think every contestant has a chance to win. It's not like I favor anyone. Miss Gao doesn't seem to have much confidence in winning?!"

Gao Huiming pursed her lips and said, "Those contestants are too strong. It's hard for me to win. It's already great to be able to enter the semi-finals."

"I think Miss Gao is very good. She may not lose to other contestants. On the contrary, Miss Gao, you have no confidence and may not win."

"Has Luo Sheng ever encountered a situation similar to mine?" Gao Huiming asked.

"I have encountered many of them." Luo Qihong comforted Gao Huiming, "My company started small and I have encountered many strong companies, but I am not afraid of them, because worrying about failure will only lead to failure."

The two chatted all the way until they sent Gao Huiming back to her home on New Clear Water Bay Road.

"Goodbye, Mr. Luo!" Gao Huiming bowed towards Luo Qihong in the car.

"Goodbye! Go back and have a good rest, and strive to win the championship." Luo Qihong encouraged Gao Huiming.

Watching Luo Qihong's motorcade leave, Gao Huiming pretended to sprain her ankle. By the time she realized she didn't need to pretend, she had already reached her doorstep.

Looking at her own village house, Gao Huiming clenched her fists and said firmly, "I must seize the opportunity. The life of rich people is too good."

Then Gao Huiming returned to normal and walked into her own small courtyard, greeting her family, and the sound of their harmonious chatting could be heard.

(End of this chapter)